Introduction to Tokens

Introduction to MapTool Tokens

As mentioned in the Introduction to Mapping guide, a token is the MapTool jargon for a visual marker that is placed on a map within the MapTool software. The most intuitive use for tokens is to represent characters in the game - in other words, tokens take the place of miniatures on the virtual tabletop.

However, in reality, the word "token" refers to any image item that is dropped onto a map in MapTool. The way a particular token is handled is dependent on the Map Layer onto which it is placed. These layers are explained below, because they are important in understanding how to work with tokens.

Assumptions

This guide assumes that you have read the Introduction to Mapping, and that you know how to:

Add folders to your Resource Library, and update/add images to those folders so that they appear in your resource library
Create a map in MapTool
Place tokens on a map, and move them around
Change token names, GM names, labels
Change the token's size
Change the token's image
Move tokens from one layer to another

If you don't know how to do these things, please read the Introduction to Mapping guide - otherwise, the stuff below might not make much sense!

Finally, this guide will be written predominantly from the point of view of the GM -- someone who has complete control over all token settings and campaign properties. Players (that is, individuals who join a game in the role of "Player") are restricted from changing many things in a particular campaign.

MapTool's Layers

Items dropped on the Token layer are what we most commonly consider "tokens" - these represent characters, monsters, NPCs - the people and creatures of the game.
Items dropped on the Object layer are most commonly images representing furniture, chests, and things in the game world - something that a person can manipulate or use. MapTool still considers them to be tokens, of course (everything is a token to MapTool - it's very singleminded) but for clarity's sake, most users call them Objects to distinguish them from tokens that represent characters
Items dropped on the Background layer are typically things that make up the map - walls, cliffs, dirt, grass. They might be unique, but are most often "stamped" onto the map over and over again, either in a pattern or because you're using several copies of the same image (for instance, using several copies of a wall image to make a complete room). Because of this, many users will call these images stamps.

The Hidden Layer

You'll note that I didn't discuss the Hidden layer in the above paragraph. That's because the Hidden Layer has a slightly different purpose.

While the Token, Object, and Background layers have a fairly intuitive relationship in terms of how one might think of the world -- I'm a person or creature, that item over there is an object, and surrounding us is the background -- the Hidden Layer is the things you cannot see. In MapTool, anything placed on the Hidden Layer is visible only to the GM until he or she decides to move it to one of the other layers.

Generally, you'll want to put characters and objects on this layer - there aren't many reasons to put a background stamp on the hidden layer, although I'm sure you can think of a couple.

Suffice it to say, when you place a token on a MapTool map, it pays to be aware of which layer you placed it on!

Creating a New Token

Creating a token is as simple as dragging an image from the Resource Library onto the Token Layer of a map. But how do you create an image in the first place? There are several options.

Download an Image

MapTool's user community has created a wealth of token images that are available for use. Visit the RPTools Gallery to see the hundreds of token images already out there.

Create one Using TokenTool

Another option is to create your own images using TokenTool, a program built by the makers of MapTool to create token images quickly and easily. To create an image using TokenTool:

1. Download TokenTool and open it by double-clicking on the file with the extension .jar (this is a Java "JAR file" which will run a java program).

2. Find an image you like (be cautious about copyright!) and drag it onto the left pane of the TokenTool window (this is the part with the small green ring and a black background).

3. When the image appears, drag it around with the mouse until the portion you want for your token is inside the green ring. You'll see a preview of what the token will look like in the upper right side of the TokenTool window.

Tip: You can use the mouse wheel or the zoom buttons to adjust the image's size until it looks just right.
Tip: You can change the look and color of the border, the final size of the token, and many other settings by using the drop-down menus on the right-hand side of the TokenTool window.

4. When you get it where you like it, go to File > Save Token, and save the newly created token in a directory that is either already in your Resource Library, or is one you plan to add to your resource library. Note that the file will be saved in PNG format (this is a good thing! it allows for transparency so your token isn't slopping outside the border!).

5. Go back to MapTool and add or refresh your Resource Library, and there you'll see your new token! Drag it onto a map, and you're good to go.

Draw One Yourself

You can create a token image of your own by using an art program and saving the file in PNG or JPG format, in a directory that is either in your Resource Library, or a directory you plan to add to your Resource Library. PNG format is the recommended format for MapTool tokens because it allows for transparency and, basically, looks the best.

You can of course combine drawing your own image with using TokenTool to create handsome and neatly formed tokens.

Editing a Token

Editing a token means changing any of the token's characteristics, be that its image, its name(s), or its configured settings. Changing token names, image, and size are covered in Introduction to Mapping. This guide will focus on changing other (and sometimes more advanced) characteristics of a token.

Token Type

Tokens have 2 possible types in MapTool: NPC and PC. These will be familiar to players of roleplaying games because they stand for "Player Character" and "Non-Player Character," and the most common use of this "type" setting is to distinguish between the two groups during actual play.

In general, tokens belonging to your players should have the type "PC." Tokens belonging to you should have the type "NPC".

NOTE: The type of a token does not have any bearing on who may manipulate that token or view it's properties - instead, that power is granted to the owner or owners of a token. As GM, you are considered to have ownership of all tokens on all maps in the campaign. See the section on Ownership, below, for more details.

To change the token type:

1. Double-click the token to open the Edit Token dialog.

2. In the upper-right corner, use the drop-down box to select PC or NPC.

3. Click OK.

To be continued... Rumble 15:04, 30 March 2009 (UTC)